Afghanistan

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I wish to inform the House that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, together with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development, is today publishing the fourteenth progress report on developments in Afghanistan since November 2010.
	The Prime Minister and President Karzai signed the UK-Afghanistan Enduring Strategic Partnership Document on 28 January. The document signals our shared vision of a secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan able to maintain its own security and prevent the country from again being used as a safe haven for international terrorists. This builds on the strong message from the Bonn Conference last year of the international community's commitment to Afghanistan post-2014. The NATO Chicago Summit in May and the Tokyo Development Conference in July will be the point at which the International Community looks to deliver on the commitments made at Bonn. The Chicago and Tokyo conferences will demonstrate to the Afghan people and the insurgency that the international community will support Afghanistan far beyond 2014 and will not end when combat troops withdraw.
	During the last month, the UK continued to help the Government of Afghanistan build their capacity to deliver better public services and economic opportunities for their people. UK support to the civilian technical assistance programme helped the Ministry of Counter Narcotics and the Ministry of Public Health develop policies and programmes for the Afghan people. The UK also helped more than 3,400 people in Helmand access technical and vocational education and training, helping to raise incomes and generate economic growth.
	Governor Mangal visited Kajaki for a Shura on 8 January. He was escorted by Afghan Uniformed Police. He travelled by road, which was the first time a Provincial Governor in Helmand had been able to follow this route for many years. The road move reflects a significant improvement in confidence last year.
	In Central Helmand, the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) successfully planned, commanded and executed Operation Rozi Roshan in Nahr-e Saraj. The operation involved 500 soldiers. Rozi Roshan was completely Afghan led and represented a significant accomplishment for the ANSF. UK forces, while ready to assist, were present in only a supporting role.
	In January, the winter weather continued to have a tangible impact on insurgent activity. The number of security incidents was relatively low. However, we must expect to see these rise as the weather improves. In the spring, the insurgency is likely to attempt to regain lost territory and with it the campaign momentum. The ANSF supported by ISAF are prepared for this but we should expect challenges ahead, particularly for the ANSF as they take the lead on more operations. However, we continue to make steady progress, illustrated in part this month by Operation Rozi Roshan and developments at the infantry branch school. We remain on track for the Afghans to assume full security responsibility across Afghanistan at the end of 2014.
	I am placing the report in the Library of the House. It will also be published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk).

Apprenticeships

Baroness Wilcox: Apprenticeships are now providing a record number of opportunities for individuals and employers, and the benefits which the programme delivers can be felt across every community in our country and every sector in our economy. Apprenticeships deliver strong wage returns for individuals and boost their career progression; deliver higher productivity and a motivated workforce for employers; benefit communities by supporting social mobility and employment opportunity; and help to build a workforce equipped with the skills needed to compete globally.
	Apprenticeships are delivering results, and the momentum which has been created will continue to reap rewards in terms of future growth in the programme. Delivering these results for individuals and employers depends upon ensuring that the value, impact and brand of apprenticeships remains strong and continues to be strengthened, raising the status of vocational learning So it is right that we now look to build upon this growth and momentum with a renewed and relentless focus on quality-to help ensure all apprenticeships are as good as the best, to identify and root out any instances of poor quality provision, and to raise the bar on standards.
	That is why late last year I announced a series of measures to improve the quality of the programme and asked the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to develop a comprehensive quality action plan. Last year, statutory standards for apprenticeships came into effect for the first time. Today I want to direct you to the progress that has been achieved so far and the next steps.
	In delivering these improvements, we will work closely with the FE and skills sector, which is best placed to drive up quality, and continue to strive to give the sector the freedoms and responsibility to tailor its provision to meet learner and employer need.
	Short duration
	First, an apprenticeship must involve significant new learning and time spent achieving competence and confidence in the job, which is why I am taking steps to ensure all apprenticeships are of a sufficient length to allow this learning to be embedded. Following my announcement in December, the NAS will shortly publish the detail of a new 12 month duration requirement for all 16-18 year olds. This will come into effect for all starts from August 2012, although we expect many providers to change their delivery models before then.
	NAS and the Skills Funding Agency are pressing ahead with their comprehensive review of all short duration programmes:
	87 training organisations, providers, subcontractors and directly funded employers delivering apprenticeships of short duration (six months or less) warranted review by the agency and NAS. 29 cases have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. These will continue to be monitored to ensure that issues do not occur and in preparation for the new requirements on duration from August 2012. Where cases have been concluded, providers have changed their delivery models to be fully compliant or ended the delivery of frameworks that do not meet the requirements. Most providers have revised their programmes to meet the challenge in quality standards that are required.So far, the review has identified 10 primary contractors and three subcontractors where the agency and NAS have significant and unresolved concerns. NAS and the agency will work closely with these providers to conclude a full investigation of the specifics of the cases and identify suitable resolutions, including improving, adapting or, if necessary, withdrawing provision.Following major reviews, in the case of three subcontractors, prime contractors have decided to end their contractual relationship. At least one case has been referred to the agency's special investigations unit.The agency will significantly tighten the contract and funding guidance from August 2012 to eliminate poor practice and close any loopholes in current contracts. The reviews of the majority of the cases that remain will be finalised by April 2012.
	Provider management and subcontracting
	Secondly, in order to ensure that all those who are being funded to deliver apprenticeship training are fit for purpose and fulfilling their responsibilities in a proper manner, I have asked the NAS, working with the agency, to strengthen monitoring, reporting and subcontracting arrangements to ensure quality concerns are thoroughly and systematically identified and managed routinely:
	A new panel, which will report directly to me, will manage contractual and quality weakness as it is identified, outlining the shape and scale of any investigations being undertaken. The agency will ensure that the contracting system is strengthened to remove any ambiguity and to protect the quality and standards of the apprenticeship programme through the funding rules, policies and contractual obligations of training organisations and employers. A new contractual clause will be introduced to ensure training organisations and employers act within both the stated policy intent as well as the regulations of the system. We will work with the sector to frame and define this clause. Failure to uphold standards will constitute a breach of contract.The agency will publish clear guidance on the funding that can be drawn down when an apprentice has prior learning-ensuring a clear link between delivery and investment by the Government. New funding guidance will clearly stipulate these requirements. Effective immediately, all subcontractors over a value of £500,000 will be required from now on to pass the same due diligence test that we apply to lead providers; meaning that subcontractors will be regulated through the register of training organisations. We will work with the sector to extend this condition to all subcontractors by December 2012.From February, the agency will publish the list of all subcontracted provision that amounts to over £100,000. The agency will publish the list of training organisations that breech its terms and conditions once all legal action and recovery of funds has been completed.The agency will enforce minimum levels of performance on all apprenticeship providers. We are currently reviewing these to ensure that the thresholds that apply to apprenticeships are suitably rigorous.Lead providers are now contractually required to publish details of subcontractors. We will withhold payments to any lead provider that fails to do so.
	Wider next steps
	Taken together, this strong and decisive action is already having a positive impact on the overall programme. But constant vigilance is necessary to ensure that every aspect of the apprenticeship programme is recognised as meeting the high quality standards I have set; to protect the taxpayer's investment; and most importantly to ensure the greatest impact on young people, employers and the wider economy.
	So over the coming months, still further measures will include:
	Taking steps following our commitment to introduce minimum durations for apprenticeships for under 19 year-olds, to ensure adult apprenticeships are also of sufficient length to deliver and embed learning.A NAS review of a number of apprenticeship frameworks and models of delivery which have been identified as needing quality improvements.Published revised guidance on the application of SASE, and a commitment to review SASE periodically to ensure its currency and relevance. Publication of a revised quality delivery statement by NAS setting out how apprenticeship framework content should be delivered, and including final details on the new delivery and funding rules. Confirmation of our commitment that all apprentices who do not have level 2 in English and maths should have the opportunity to progress towards this.
	As these detailed measures set out, we will take every necessary step in the months ahead to protect and improve the quality of the apprenticeship programme so that we can be confident that, as more people than ever have the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship, they will receive the high quality training which learners and employers deserve.

Armed Forces: MARS Tankers

Lord Astor of Hever: My honourable friend the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology (Peter Luff) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Honourable Members will wish to be aware of the progress being made with the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme. I am pleased to announce that after running an international competition the department has selected Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) as the preferred bidder for the MARS tanker project and intends to place a contract worth £452 million for the procurement of four double-hulled MARS tankers, to be operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). This contract will include two years' initial provisioning for capital spares, training and training systems. The MARS tankers, which are planned to enter service at yearly intervals from 2016, will replace the existing single-hulled fleet tankers and allow the RFA and Royal Navy to continue to deliver maritime operational support capability worldwide.
	The MARS tankers will maintain the Royal Navy's dedicated replenishment at sea capabilities, operating individually and supporting specific warships or seamlessly integrated as part of a naval task group, including carrier strike and littoral manoeuvre operations thereby helping to meet our aspirations for the Future Force 2020. They will supply aviation and ship fuel to the full range of surface ships worldwide, unrestricted by seasonal variations from Tropical to Arctic regions. They will be easily adaptable to incorporate new technologies to meet future operational challenges and have been designed for increased reliability and ease of maintenance. They will meet extant and anticipated maritime safety and environmental legislation while also fulfilling MoD's commitment to operating vessels to the highest environmental standards possible.
	The support to be provided by the MARS tankers is vital to Royal Navy operations, but, they are, in essence, simple auxiliaries. As such, the design, build and integration requirements are not as military specific as complex warship procurements. The competition for the MARS tankers was therefore run internationally and involved leaders in the commercial shipbuilding industry, such as foreign companies in Europe and South Korea. I can confirm that a number of UK companies participated in the competition. However, none submitted a final bid for the build contract. The build contract has been awarded to DSME whose bid demonstrated best value for money proving that, in this case, the best outcome for defence and the UK taxpayer will be met by procuring the MARS tankers from overseas.
	I would like to assure honourable Members that UK Industry will have an important role in delivering the overall MARS tanker capability. First, I am pleased to confirm that the winning design for the MARS tankers has been provided by a UK company BMT Defence Services. I am also pleased to confirm that the UK work content of the main contract is estimated to be up to 20 per cent equating to approximately £90 million, money which DSME will be spending in the UK on contracts for the provision of key equipment, systems, design and support services.
	There will be further opportunities for UK industry to be involved in the customisation package of work, to take place in the UK after the MARS tankers have been built, that will provide essential classified features required for deployment and capability assessment trials. All of this is good news for UK industry, particularly small and medium enterprises, which provide specialist skills in our supply chain as this, along with trials and specialist engineering support, will represent up to a further £60 million investment in the UK.
	I would also like to challenge any suggestion that this contract signals a change in our commitment to the UK's shipbuilding industry. The MARS tankers are part of a multi-billion pound investment programme underway for the Royal Navy. This includes Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers and Astute class attack submarines all of which are being built in the UK. Subject to approvals, we continue to work towards delivering a fleet of more modern and versatile Type 26 frigates as well as a class of successor submarines. Together these programmes will help to showcase UK industry at its best; sustain skills and specialist capabilities at home for several decades to come; and ensure that we have the skills base on which we can maximise export opportunities.
	The MARS tanker procurement strategy of open and fair competition in the global market is fully aligned with the recently published National Security Through Technology: Technology, Equipment and Support for UK Defence and Security White Paper.

Armed Forces: Recruit Trainee Survey

Lord Astor of Hever: My right honourable friend the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Andrew Robathan) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	Today I am publishing the 2010 Recruit Trainee Survey Annual Report. All recruits and trainees passing through phase 1 and 2 training are offered the opportunity to participate in the survey, which is anonymous and administered independently on behalf of the services by an external contractor.
	The annual report contains the views of recruits and trainees about topics such as the preparation for joining and their treatment during phase 1 and 2 training, food, accommodation, access to instructional and welfare staff and complaints procedures. Overall the results are positive and, importantly, the findings are used by service training headquarters and units to monitor the training environment and make improvements.
	During preparation of the 2010 Recruit Trainee Survey Annual Report, a contractor's error was discovered in the previously published annual report for 2009. The data error relates to the findings on four questions in the fairness, equality and diversity sections of the previously published report. The 2010 RTS Annual Report has been prepared using the corrected 2009 data where trends are reported. I therefore intend to place a revised version of the full Recruit Trainee Survey 2009 Annual Report in the Library of the House together with the 2010 Recruit Trainee Survey Annual Report.

Armed Forces: Reserve Forces

Lord Astor of Hever: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Philip Hammond) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	An order has been made under Section 56(1A) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable reservists to be called out for permanent service as part of defence's contribution to the safety and security of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
	In providing support to the police and other civil and Olympic authorities, defence will contribute up to 13,500 military personnel at the busiest part of the Games, of which up to 2,100, around 15 per cent, will come from the Reserve Forces.
	Some reservists will provide a range of specialist capabilities and expertise while the majority will form part of the support to Olympic venue security operations.
	Defence will continue to apply its policy of intelligent selection, designed to identify, in good time, volunteer reservists with supportive employers with the training, skills and availability, in order to minimise the impact of mobilisation upon the individual, their family and employer.
	Since 2008, around 2,300 reservists per year have been called out for operations around the world, where they serve to support and strengthen the defence effort, while at the peak in 2004, reservists made up 20 per cent of our forces in Iraq and 12 per cent in Afghanistan.
	The reserves will be taking on an enhanced role, following the decision to invest £1.8 billion in equipment and training as we move to a more integrated force by 2020.
	There are currently almost 600 reservists in Afghanistan, representing some 6 per cent of the deployed force. As well as augmenting regular units, reservists supply vital skills, in particular medical, and niche logistical and communication expertise.
	Both the reservist and overall defence contribution is on a similar scale to that deployed by other nations at recent Olympic Games and will contribute to ensuring a safe, secure and enjoyable 2012 Olympics.
	The order takes effect from 16 February 2012 and ceases to have effect on 20 September 2012.

Bailiffs

Lord McNally: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Jonathan Djanogly) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	On 17 February the Government published a consultation paper on transforming bailiff action. This is the next step in the Government's work to provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs in England and Wales following the recently published new standards defining acceptable behaviour for those working in the industry.
	The need for a workable means to enforce the payment of debts and fines is important to both the economy and the justice system. Without assurance that it is possible, with due process, to recoup money from debtors unwilling to pay, it would be too risky for creditors to lend and the effectiveness of courts would diminish.
	Yet for too many ordinary people bailiff action is an intrusive, expensive and stressful experience. Two of the worst features of the current process are the complexities surrounding bailiffs' powers and the absence of a clear and fair charging regime. We also need to do much more to protect the most vulnerable in society. It is not acceptable that some bailiffs are aggressive and use threatening behaviour to gain entry to premises, especially when children are the only persons present.
	This package of proposals seeks to restore balance to the system, improving clarity so that both debtors and creditors know where they stand, strengthening protections for the vulnerable, and ensuring that individuals, business and Government are able to collect the debts they are owed. Its aim is to respect both the competing rights of the creditor and the debtor.
	So our first proposal is to prohibit the use of force against a person, introduce safeguards to protect children and ensure there is a clear and effective complaints process available to the debtor. We are also introducing a compliance stage in the proposed costs regime enabling the bailiff to recover initial administrative costs, therefore reducing the need for the bailiff to attend a debtor's property. Underpinning these changes, the paper sets out the minimum standards expected from bailiffs and a certification process to ensure that they are fit to operate.
	Equally importantly, we recognise that the law in this area is antiquated, archaic and confusing-so much so that too often it thwarts effective and proportionate enforcement. Our plans for change will ensure that the law is fit for today's society. We will introduce a comprehensive code which sets out when and how a bailiff can enter a property, prescribe precisely to whom and under what circumstances reasonable force to enter premises will be available, what goods can and cannot be seized and sold, and what costs a bailiff can recover.
	Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Vote Office and in the Printed Paper Office. The document is also available online at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/consultations.htm.
	The consultation will run until 14 May 2012. A response paper is scheduled to be published in October 2012.

British Nationals: Evacuations

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	In my Written Statement of 4 July 2011 (4 July 2011, Official Report, col. 74WS), I informed the House that in light of the challenges posed by the evacuation of British Nationals from Libya, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had conducted a review of its evacuation arrangements in a crisis. A copy of the review of consular evacuation procedures was placed in the Library of the House.
	I gave instructions that the recommendations of the review should be implemented in full by 31 December 2011. This Statement updates the House on the FCO's progress in implementing the review's recommendations.
	The crises of early 2011 were an unprecedented series of challenges for the FCO's crisis management capability. They also presented an invaluable opportunity to learn the necessary lessons and to refine our crisis management systems in order to ensure we deliver the best possible service to British nationals in future. In response to the recommendations in the review the FCO has:
	developed a more agile and clear crisis decision-making structure, based on the Gold/Silver/Bronze crisis response system used by emergency services. As part of this, the FCO board will be carrying out a high-level training session in early March;
	introduced London crisis response teams made up of trained FCO staff across London who can be rapidly deployed to augment the FCO's crisis response; expanded our crisis training and exercising capability, to deliver an increased level of training across the global network; improved the use of digital and social media for messaging British nationals before and during a crisis; improved our call handling systems;launched a project to define our longer-term Crisis IT and communications needs, under which we have successfully piloted pre-crisis registration of British nationals via SMS text messaging;revised our guidance for FCO staff on crisis planning and response; designed a new framework for crisis management planning by our overseas posts, which will be in place across the network by the end of 2012; increased the numbers of volunteers in our rapid deployment team network, including by expanding the coverage of the Americas team to include South America, and recruiting for a new Middle East and South Asia team; clarified key policy issues, for example on how costs are charged in a crisis, in order to ensure that decisions can be taken more quickly during future crisis responses;intensified our contact with others involved in our response to key crises, including private sector companies, chartering companies etc;developed closer links with Ministry of Defence crisis teams, including by embedding MoD staff in the FCO's crisis centre; andincreased the numbers of staff dedicated to crisis work in crisis management department.
	I have placed in the Library of the House a table which provides more detail of how we have implemented the review's recommendations.
	These improvements to FCO systems and practices were tested in recent crises, most notably the Bangkok floods (October 2011), the evacuation of embassy staff from Tehran (November 2011) and the sinking of the cruise ship "Costa Concordia" (January 2012). On each occasion, we implemented the Gold/Silver/Bronze command and control system, which promoted clear and quick decision-making and communication, and activated the London crisis response teams, enabling us to scale up our crisis response quickly and sustainably.
	It will be a priority for 2012 to ensure that these improvements are fully embedded into FCO processes to ensure that we have genuinely upgraded our crisis planning and response systems. Specific priorities will include:
	regularly exercising the London response to a crisis, including by the FCO board;implementing a crisis IT project to design and implement best practice systems for maintaining reliable data about British nationals before and during a crisis;adopting the new crisis management plan across all UK posts overseas, supported by a programme of training and exercising; andupgrading the FCO's crisis centre to expand its operational capacity and co-locate it with its out-of-hours global response centre.
	Each crisis throws up a unique set of challenges. We attach importance to learning the lessons from each one, based on a thorough and objective assessment of our response. We are confident that by implementing the recommendations of the review of evacuation procedures, we have made important and sustainable improvements to our crisis planning and response systems and that this has enhanced the quality of our crisis response. However, we recognise the need to avoid complacency in this critical and unpredictable area of work, and will ensure that we continue to carry out regular reviews of our systems.

Care Quality Commission

Earl Howe: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I wish to inform the House that the department is today publishing the report of its performance and capability review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The review is intended to provide robust assurance to the public, the department and Parliament that CQC is improving its performance and that action will be taken to build and sustain its capability for the future.
	The review ran from October 2011 to February 2012, and was led by a panel of senior departmental officials and external reviewers, chaired by the Permanent Secretary. The review gathered evidence from a range of external stakeholders and CQC staff. It also considered findings of the recent reports from the Health Select Committee and the National Audit Office.
	The review sets out recommendations to challenge CQC and support its continuing improvement by providing clearer strategic direction, strengthening the CQC board and developing and delivering the underlying regulatory model. These recommendations will be important to ensure that CQC builds and sustains its capability for the future. The review also recognises that the department has more to do as a sponsor and work is underway to strengthen accountability arrangements across all the department's arm's-length bodies.
	I have today placed in the Library copies of a letters exchanged between the Permanent Secretary of the department and the chair and chief executive of the CQC, together with a copy of Performance and Capability Review: Care Quality Commission. Copies are available to honourable Members from the Vote office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.

Central Asia

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Europe (David Lidington) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	Last year, the countries of Central Asia celebrated the 20th anniversary of their independence from the Soviet Union. 2012 marks two decades since the UK established diplomatic relations with these countries.
	The Central Asian states-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan-were in many respects dealt a difficult hand at independence. Their mixed record in responding to the challenge of independence over the past 20 years, in a resource-rich but unstable and landlocked region, reflects that. Active and constructive UK engagement with these countries remains essential. They constitute a region of growing importance for the UK's prosperity and security interests. We have a commitment to promoting the core values of rule of law, human rights and democracy that we hold dear and that we regard as the best basis for future stability and growth in this region. With our new Embassy in Bishkek opening in December 2011, we now have Embassies in all five countries.
	Central Asia's scope for economic development is considerable. We must proactively pursue commercial opportunities and seek to unlock the region's energy potential. The UK is already among the largest international investors in Kazakhstan, and we are rapidly developing our trade relations elsewhere in the region: UK bilateral trade with Central Asia in 2011 was more than double that in 2010, standing at some £1.1 billion by November. We want this trend to continue. We also give priority, bilaterally and with our EU partners, to the diversification of energy supplies-including through the development of a southern corridor bringing gas from the Caspian region via Turkey to the EU. Visits such as that by my honourable friend the Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to Kazakhstan in September 2011 are key components in supporting our prosperity goals. We need more regular contacts of this kind with the region.
	As another important element of the UK's engagement, the Department for International Development continues to play an active role in the region. Their bilateral programme, set at £14 million per year, is helping to reduce poverty in the region through promoting sustainable growth and good governance, in particular in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and through building on the positive opportunities for regional development.
	Central Asia is equally important to our security interests. We have a shared interest in regional stability and in achieving a stable transition and secure future for Afghanistan, which borders three of the Central Asian states. We welcome the constructive role the Central Asian states are already playing in helping secure Afghanistan's long-term stability, including through infrastructure projects. We are keen to see them co-operate ever more closely with Afghanistan on such "connectivity" projects and make their voices heard in regional dialogue. They can also play a key role in helping us support the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and UK forces in particular as we actively look for ways to improve our supply lines into and out of Afghanistan through the Northern Line of Communication. More broadly, we and the international community must engage with the Central Asian states on a range of security issues, including counter narcotics and border security, conflict prevention and crisis management work, counter-radicalisation, and some aspects of defence reform and co-operation, if we are to effectively promote wider regional security and stability. Ministry of Defence Ministers will be visiting the region shortly in support of UK security goals.
	Underpinning our prosperity and security interests is our commitment to promote the UK's core values in all our activities in the region. The Central Asian states will continue to face many challenges in this regard, and several of them have a considerable way to go before meeting their international commitments on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. We need to be clear both in recognising their deficiencies in these areas and in voicing our related concerns. But we also believe that, as in other parts of the world, the most effective way to address such concerns is through constructive engagement, both with Governments and civil society in the region. Promoting international standards, working bilaterally and multilaterally to support the region as it seeks to reform and, when necessary, robustly raising our human rights concerns with the host Governments will remain at the heart of what we do.

City Skills Fund

Baroness Wilcox: My honourable friend the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (John Hayes) has today made the following Statement.
	I am writing to inform the House that we are announcing the availability of the City Skills Fund, worth £4.5 million in total, designed to help cities and their surrounding areas realise the positive impact of high-quality skills training on their local economies and on the lives of people in their areas. This follows the announcement made by my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Decentralisation and Cities (Greg Clark) on 8 December 2011, of the publication of Unlocking Growth in Cities, which described a new framework for the relationship between our largest cities and central Government.
	Cities are at the heart of our nation. As ever, they embody the best of what has been achieved and what could be. Each of us values civic pride and want to inspire still greater civic purpose. Economic growth fuelled by the progress of citizens and communities feeds purposeful pride. Inspired by our determination to build ever more confident civic life and appreciative of the central role of local government in doing so, we have jointly planned a new initiative to secure economic growth by feeding opportunity.
	In particular, I want cities to be able to develop apprenticeship hubs and, working with colleges and independent providers, to tailor skills provision to the needs of employers.
	The fund will be administered on my department's behalf by the Skills Funding Agency. I am today writing to the core cities and London to invite them to express an interest in bidding to the fund for up to £500,000 each. Copies of the letters will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Communities: Integration

Baroness Hanham: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Eric Pickles) made the following Written Ministerial Statement on 21 February 2012.
	I am today publishing Creating the Conditions for Integration, the Government's approach to enabling and encouraging integration in communities throughout England.
	Creating the Conditions sets out how integration is achieved when neighbourhoods, families and individuals come together on issues which matter to them. It is based around five key factors:
	Common ground-shared aspirations and values, and a focus on what we have in common rather than on difference.Responsibility-promoting a strong sense of mutual commitment and obligation.Social mobility-people able to realise their potential to get on in life. Participation and empowerment-people have the opportunities to take part and take decisions in local and national life. Challenge to intolerance and extremism-a robust response to threats which deepen division and increase tensions.
	Most people from different backgrounds get on well together, feel they belong to their neighbourhood and to this country, and have a sense of pride in the place where they live, but challenges remain in particular places. Building a more integrated society requires collective action across a wide range of issues, at national and local levels, by public bodies, private companies, voluntary and community organisations and, above all, communities and individuals. Creating the Conditions sets out the Government's views and our role in this process.
	We recognise that integration is a vital local issue. We will ensure that the integration benefits of national programmes and projects are recognised and supported. All government departments have an important role in tackling barriers to integration, in particular those relating to long-term social and economic challenges.
	Beyond this, integration requires a local response and we strongly encourage local partners such as local authorities, police forces and other statutory bodies to work together to drive action and to learn from each other. To support this we will use tools such as the Localism Act 2011 to give people the power to come together to take action. We will seek opportunities to support projects which are sustainable through community or business support and which exemplify positive activities or pioneer new approaches. We are committed to outflanking and challenging extremism and intolerance and we will take the necessary action to do so.
	Together, these are fundamental changes to how government departments and the rest of the public sector work in this area. This approach will make integration the everyday business of public services, the private sector and wider civic society, while ensuring local responsibility and the opportunity for everyone to contribute.
	Creating the Conditions for Integration is available at:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/integration. A copy of this publication will be placed in the Library of the House.

Department for Communities and Local Government: Update

Baroness Hanham: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Eric Pickles) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I would like to update honourable Members on the main items of business undertaken by my department since the House rose on 9 February 2012.
	The freedom to pray
	On 10 February, the High Court ruled in a case against Bideford Town Council, banning the practice of prayers at the formal beginning of council meetings. The basis of this ruling was a narrow interpretation of Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972. In short, the court asserted that councils do not have an explicit power to hold prayers as part of the formal business at council meetings.
	I do not believe it was ever the intention of Parliament when it passed that Act 40 years ago to prohibit council prayers, which are a common day practice that dates back many centuries. It is my view that this judgment was another example of the public sector marginalising faith by promoting an illiberal and intolerant secularism.
	I believe Christianity continues to play an important part in the culture, heritage and fabric of our nation, especially given we have an Established Church. As the Prime Minister asserted in his speech in Christ Church, Oxford, in December, "We are a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so". Of course, we respect those with other faiths, and those with none. The right to worship is a fundamental and hard-fought British liberty, and the fight for religious freedom in British history is deeply entwined with the political freedoms we take for granted.
	While Parliament's prayers are protected by the Bill of Rights, local councils have no such shield. Last week, I decided to fast-track the commencement of the general power of competence in the Localism Act 2011. Previously local authorities have only been able to do those things that the law specifically empowered them to do or which are incidental to those things. The new general power of competence turns the current situation on its head. Rather than looking to Whitehall to hand down specific powers, it enables councils to do anything that an individual could do unless it is specifically prohibited by law. These new flexibilities for councils include the freedom to pray and hold prayers at the start of council meetings, should they wish. It is also a major constitutional innovation in itself, opening the doors to greater innovation in local government and will help councils make savings through greater joint working and sharing of services.
	Following the signing of a Commencement Order on 17 February, the power is now in effect for all principal local authorities in England and by April for parish councils meeting the necessary requirements, following the ratification of necessary (affirmative resolution) orders in both Houses of Parliament. My department has also published an advice note on how the general power of competence will relate to parish councils and practical steps that parish councils can take in the mean time. I am also considering if further steps need to be taken to remove legal obstacles to town hall prayers.
	By effectively reversing that ruling, I believe we are striking a blow for localism, for freedom to worship over intolerant secularism, for long-standing British liberties over modern-day political correctness, and for parliamentary sovereignty over judicial activism.
	Council tax freeze
	To support residents and families, the Government has set aside up to £675 million for local authorities in England to freeze council tax in 2012-13. This is the second year the Government have offered to freeze council tax to help keep bills and the cost of living down.
	As of 10 February, over 200 local authorities in England are preparing to vote this month to freeze or reduce council tax next year according to public sources.
	As councils set their budgets in the next few weeks, I expect to see the number freezing to rise further. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Bob Neill), wrote to all councils leaders to strongly encouraging them to sign up to this year's freeze offer. He reminded them that it would be a public service that local residents will greatly appreciate as well as an opportunity to reform, restructure, innovate and lower their spending base permanently.
	Getting Britain Building
	We are determined to tackle the housing shortage, boost the economy, create jobs and give people the opportunity to get on the housing ladder.
	The £420 million Get Britain Building Fund will help builders with planning permission get back on to housing sites that have been shut down because of problems accessing development finance. Over the next two years, the fund is expected to unlock up to 16,000 homes on sites that are currently stalled, and help create up to 30,000 jobs in construction and related industries.
	The short, simple and straightforward application process has made it easier for smaller building companies, as well as larger developers, to bid for funding. Already there have been 176 expressions of interest.
	On 15 February, my department published details of 18 of the most important local housing sites that, subject to due diligence and contracting, could benefit from Government cash to get builders back to work. These 18 developments will go to the next stage of assessment for £45 million funding from this scheme to get workers back on site and deliver 1,300 new homes.
	Local transparency and local accountability in public sector pay
	Transparency is at the core of delivering efficient and accountable government. The Localism Act requires councils to publish and be accountable for their pay policies, helping to ensure that local remuneration arrangements are open to public scrutiny and provide value for money for the whole of the public sector.
	The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has set out the Government's commitment to tackling tax avoidance and will continue to take necessary steps to protect the Exchequer and maintain fairness in the tax system. As local government is also paid from the public purse, on 17 February, my department issued new statutory guidance on the matter.
	Openness and Accountability in Local Pay states that authorities should review senior appointment remuneration, particularly where arrangements could be perceived as seeking to minimise tax payments. It specifically states that council pay votes should start at £100,000. Councils should also publicly justify any big bonuses, above inflation pay rises, or the recruitment of staff already in receipt of public sector retirement or severance money (so-called "double dipping").
	Elected councillors have until the end of next month to approve pay policy statements that should include explicit local policies on all the above practices and whether or not they intend to permit any of these arrangements. This will be complemented by the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency which requires openness on spending, contracts and senior salaries. I believe that greater local accountability and the sunlight of local transparency will drive out remuneration arrangements that would not command public confidence.
	Safer communities
	My department wants to see communities in which people feel safe and are proud to call home. In July 2011, the Government's Champion for Active Safer Communities, Baroness Newlove, identified tackling problem drinking as her most urgent priority. On 14 February, my department announced a £1 million fund giving 10 successful communities-based on models of grass roots projects already delivering for their neighbourhoods-the resources to tackle problem drinking and deal with it head on.
	The announcement of the new fund coincided with the publication of Baroness Newlove's report Building Safe, Active Communities: Strong foundations by local people, providing communities with practical advice to neighbourhoods and highlighting some of the barriers that have stifled their growth.
	Olympic Legacy
	While 2012 is set to be an Olympic year, we are determined that the legacy of the Games continues to benefit communities in the long-term. On 14 February, I laid before Parliament an order enabling the establishment of the London Legacy Development Corporation. This will assume from the Olympic Park Legacy Company the task of managing the post-2012 development of the Olympic Park in East London, and of fringe areas previously managed by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. The order will come into force on 9 March 2012.
	Copies of the associated documents and press notices have been placed in the Library of the House.

ECOFIN

Lord Sassoon: My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Economic and Financial Affairs Council will be held in Brussels on 21 February 2012. The Chancellor will attend. The following items are on the agenda to be discussed (as of 20 February 2012):
	Proposals from the Commission on Economic Governance
	ECOFIN will aim to agree a general approach on the Commission's two proposals to strengthen economic governance; the first to strengthen surveillance of budgetary policies in euro area member states; and the second to strengthen economic and fiscal surveillance of euro area countries facing, or threatened with, serious financial instability.
	This follows on from an exchange of views at the 24 January ECOFIN which demonstrated broad support for the proposals. Two main issues remained unresolved: first, whether all euro area member states should submit their budgetary plans to the Commission and the euro group for monitoring purposes or only euro area member states in excessive deficit should do so; and secondly, whether the Council should be empowered to adopt a recommendation that a member state should seek financial assistance.
	The UK supports the measures as they are designed to improve stability in the euro area. These proposals apply only to the euro area. However, the proposals should maintain a role for the Council and Economic and Financial Committee where appropriate.
	Presentation and First Exchange of Views on Macroeconomic Balances: Alert Mechanism Report
	The Commission will present its alert mechanism report, the first stage in the new EU-level excessive imbalances procedure, and the Council will have a first exchange of views, with an intention of returning to a substantial discussion and possible adoption of Council conclusions at the ECOFIN meeting on 13 March. The Government support the excessive imbalances procedure as a means of strengthening European economic governance, particularly in the euro area.
	Following the publication of the alert mechanism report on 14 February, the Commission will now conduct in-depth reviews on 12 member states to examine whether they have an excessive imbalance. The 12 include France, Sweden, Denmark and Finland as well as the UK. (The four countries receiving IMF assistance-Greece, Romania, Ireland and Portugal-are automatically excluded from this process). At the end of May the Commission will publish whether any of these imbalances are deemed excessive. Member states with excessive imbalances are obliged to submit corrective action plans; for euro area countries, submission of an inadequate corrective action plan or failure to comply with the plan will lead to escalating sanctions up to and including a fine of 0.1 per cent of GDP.
	The UK has already taken significant action to rebalance the economy, including at the Budget and at the Autumn Statement.
	Contribution to the European Council meeting on 1-2 March 2012: European Semester (including EuroPlus Pact)
	ECOFIN will agree a set of Council conclusions on the Commission's annual growth survey (AGS). The Government consider that the conclusions send a balanced message about the need for reforms at member state and EU level, and that they broadly support the policy messages contained in the AGS. The Government look forward to an in-depth discussion of structural reform and concrete commitments on growth at the March European Council.
	Preparation of G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Governors (Mexico, 25-26 February 2012)
	Ministers will agree EU terms of reference for the G20 Finance Ministers' and governors' meeting. This will be the first G20 Finance Ministers' and governors' meeting of the Mexican presidency. The draft terms of reference focus on: the global economy and G20 framework; IMF resources, governance and surveillance; financial regulation/inclusion; and energy and commodities. The global economy and IMF resources are likely to dominate the discussion. The EU negotiating position for the G20 is broadly in line with UK objectives.
	Council Recommendation for the Discharge in Respect of the Implementation of the Budget for 2010
	As part of the annual discharge process, Ministers will conclude recommendations to the European Parliament on whether to discharge the Commission from its responsibility for implementing the 2010 EU Budget, based on an annual report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Progress in reducing the error rate has halted and, for the seventeenth successive year, the ECA is unable to grant an unqualified positive opinion on the EU accounts. Therefore, the UK will stress the importance of year-on-year improvements to reach an unqualified audit opinion from the ECA and press for concrete actions by both the Commission and member states to improve EU financial management. The UK will issue a joint statement with other member states calling for tougher action in future years.
	Budget guidelines for 2013
	As part of the annual EU budget process, Ministers will discuss guidelines to the Commission on preparing the draft EU budget for 2013. Given the ongoing pressure on public resources, budget discipline at the EU level remains crucial to support domestic efforts to tackle deficit and debt. Following the freezing of the 2012 EU budget in real terms, the UK will emphasise the need for strict and rigorous prioritisation in 2013 in order to curb budgetary growth, reduce waste and deliver a better-targeted EU budget next year. The UK will support the guidelines.
	AOB
	The presidency will provide a debrief from the trialogue on the European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). At the trialogue meeting of 9 February the presidency reached an agreement with the European Parliament. Political negotiations are therefore concluded. The UK welcomes the agreement that has been reached on EMIR. This regulation will benefit the whole of the EU and is an important step on the path towards meeting our G20 commitments.
	Also under the AOB agenda item France and Germany will present their "Green Paper" on corporate tax convergence.
	ECOFIN Breakfast
	Prior to the formal ECOFIN meeting of Ministers, the president of the euro group will debrief Ministers on the euro group meeting of 20 February. Ministers will also exchange views on the economic situation. There will also be a debrief on the state of play with regard to the banking package.

Education: Further Education Colleges and Sixth Form Colleges

Baroness Wilcox: My honourable friend the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (John Hayes) has today made the following Statement.
	I am writing to inform the House that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recently reviewed the classification of colleges and notified HM Treasury on 23 February 2012 that both further education colleges and sixth form colleges will be reclassified to the private sector upon commencement, in April 2012, of the relevant parts of the Education Act 2011.
	On 14 October 2010, I informed the House of the decision by the ONS to reclassify general further education colleges as part of central government for the purposes of national accounts. FE colleges had previously been classified as part of the private sector. On the same date ONS announced that sixth form college corporations were classified as local government entities for national accounts purposes.
	Confirming the Government's commitment to reduce burdens on further education colleges and to give them freedoms to make their own decisions on how best to manage their affairs for the benefit of learners, employers and wider communities, I pledged to work to challenge the original classification.
	Through the Education Act 2011 the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Education have removed a wide range of restrictions and controls on further education and sixth form college corporations, putting them on a similar footing to charities operating within the independent/private sector.
	Having reviewed the changes we have made, the ONS has concluded that they are sufficient to remove public sector control over these corporations, and they will consequently be reclassified to the private sector. This reclassification is provisional upon ensuring that there are no other public sector controls in other documentation, such as the funding agreements, and keeping under review the use of remaining government powers within legislation.
	I am today writing to the Association of Colleges to inform them of this achievement. Lord Hill is similarly communicating with the sixth form colleges' sector.

Energy: Red Diesel

Lord Sassoon: My honourable friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Chloe Smith) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I am today announcing that from 1 April 2012 the use of red diesel to propel private pleasure craft will be allowed only within United Kingdom waters.
	From 1 April, anyone purchasing red diesel for use as fuel for propelling private pleasure craft will be required to make a declaration that the fuel will be used only within UK waters. The declaration will include an acknowledgement that the UK procedures do not affect any restrictions or prohibitions under the national laws of other European member states regarding fuel used for propelling private pleasure craft.
	These changes are being made following a challenge by the European Commission to the UK practice of allowing marked red diesel with full duty paid in private pleasure craft.
	The changes announced today will ensure that red diesel can continue to be used in UK coastal waters and on the UK's inland waterways in accordance with current procedures to the benefit of suppliers and users. It also ensures that users can continue to use red diesel at the rebated rate of duty on fuel used on board for domestic purposes, such as heating and cooking.
	HMRC has published the draft legislation on the HMRC website today.

EU: Air Passenger Details

Lord Henley: My honourable friend the Minister of State for Immigration (Damian Green) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The coalition Government are firmly committed to protecting the security of UK citizens and to defending civil liberties. Our experience is that both security and privacy are possible. We must resist trading one off against the other as some would wish us to do.
	We are firmly committed to consistency in our approach to civil liberties and will seek to translate our domestic agenda to the EU level-this includes purpose limitation; rigorous evidence based arguments; the principles of necessity and proportionality; stringent data protection safeguards, especially when handling sensitive personal data; independent data protection oversight; and, of course, full compliance with EU law and the EU treaties.
	We fully recognise the importance of working with partners outside the EU given that the threats we face are global in nature and, in common with other EU member states, we view the US as a key partner.
	The UK, in common with many other EU member states and third countries, places considerable value on the collection and analysis of passenger name record (PNR) data (that data collected by carriers in the exercise of their business) for the purpose of preventing terrorism and serious crime. The appropriate use of PNR data is vital in keeping the public safe.
	In line with this view, the Government continue to press for an EU PNR directive that includes provision for intra-EU flights. The Government also believe that clear PNR agreements between the EU and third countries play a vital role in removing legal uncertainty for air carriers flying to those countries, and help ensure that PNR information can be shared quickly and securely, with all necessary data protection safeguards in place. It is for this reason that the Government have opted in to the EU-US agreement on the exchange of passenger name record data, notifying the President of the Council on 9 February 2012.
	This agreement replaces the EU-US PNR agreement which has been applied provisionally from July 2007. The European Parliament postponed its vote on that agreement and asked the Commission to come forward with a single model for international agreements before it took a final vote. On 21 September 2010 the European Commission published a communication on the global approach to transfers of PNR data to third countries, together with a package of draft negotiating mandates for PNR agreements with Australia, Canada and the United States. In response to this, the Council presented a draft Council decision to authorise the Commission to open negotiations for PNR agreements with Australia, Canada and the US, together with draft negotiating guidelines (collectively referred to as the negotiating mandates). The UK opted in to these negotiating mandates in December 2010 and announced this decision to Parliament on 20 December 2010.
	I listened very carefully to what honourable Members had to say during the scrutiny process and am pleased that the committee agreed with the Government's recommendation to participate in this agreement.
	The agreement:
	restricts the purposes for which data can be processed to the prevention of and combating of terrorist offences and serious transnational crime;makes express provision for data security;requires data to be masked after 6 months and transferred to a dormant database after five years. Data may be retained in the dormant database for a period of up to 10 years, during which additional controls will apply (including a more restricted number of personnel authorised to access it as well as a higher level of supervisory approval required). provides that masked data can only be re-personalised in connection with an identifiable case, threat or risk. After five years in the dormant database (10 years in total) data can only be re-personalised for the purpose of preventing and combating terrorist offences; provides that sensitive personal data must be filtered out and may only be accessed in exceptional circumstances where the life of an individual may be imperilled or seriously impaired; provides for independent review and oversight by departmental privacy officers with a proven record of autonomy, such as the Department of Homeland Security's chief privacy officer;sets out rights of access, rectification and erasure and redress;regulates the transfer of PNR data to other US Government authorities; andonly permits onward data transmission to a third country on a case by case basis and for the purposes outlined above.
	The Council decisions to sign and conclude the agreement were deposited on 28 November 2011. These can be found at the following links:
	Council Decision to Sign: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0807: FIN:EN:PDF
	Council Decision to Conclude: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/ LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2011:0805: FIN:EN:PDF

EU: Central America Association Agreement

Lord Howell of Guildford: I wish to inform the House that the Government have opted in to the following measures:
	the Council decision relating to the proposal on the signature and provisional application of an association agreement between EU and central America; and the Council decision relating to the proposal on the conclusion of the Association Agreement between the EU and central America.
	The EU proposes to enter into an association agreement with central America. The UK supports the agreement, which covers all aspects of the bi-regional relationship. Its objectives are to strengthen political dialogue and co-operation on issues of common interest, and to boost respective trade flows and investments.
	The agreement will contribute to UK security and prosperity and to the further development of the UK's bilateral relationships with the countries of central America and the region as a whole. Its measures are in line with the Government's trade policy objectives on liberalisation of services and investment, as well as with the Government's wider policy towards central America.
	Following signature, those parts of the agreement in which the EU has exclusive competence will be provisionally applied. These areas are contained in Part IV, the trade part. With regard to Part IV, the agreement aims to eliminate high tariffs, tackle technical barriers to trade, liberalise services markets, protect EU geographical indications, open up public procurement markets, include commitments on the enforcement of labour and environmental standards and offer effective and swift dispute settlement procedures. Its measures go beyond WTO commitments and ensure a level playing field with competitors in the region. It includes robust clauses on human rights, sustainable development and international labour standards, any of which can be invoked as reason for suspension of trade preferences.
	The Council decisions extend the UK's commitments in Mode 4, thus triggering the UK justice and home affairs opt-in. The agreement contains obligations which fall within the scope of Title V (Area of Freedom, Justice and Security) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), specifically those in Article 49(4) on readmission. The provisions within this article, on the temporary movement of natural persons for business purposes (known as "Mode-4" trade-in services), trigger the opt-in. I believe it is in the UK's interest to opt in to these measures, which are an integral part of our wider approach on trade and support our other commitments in services and investment liberalisation.

EU: Competitiveness Council

Baroness Wilcox: My honourable friend the Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs (Norman Lamb) has today made the following Statement.
	The EU Competitiveness Council will take place in Brussels on 20 and 21 February 2012. I shall represent the UK on Internal Market and Industry Issues on 20 February, and Andy Lebrecht, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, will represent the UK on research issues on 21 February.
	The Internal Market and Industry substantive agenda items on 20 February will be: a policy debate on the Europe 2020 strategy; an orientation debate on the public procurement package; an orientation debate on the accounting directive; an orientation debate on European venture capital funds; an orientation debate on European social entrepreneurship funds; and adoption of Council conclusions on smart regulation.
	One AOB point will be discussed regarding the patent package.
	The research substantive agenda items on 21 February will be: an exchange of views on the European Earth Monitoring Programme (GMES) and its operations from 2014 onwards; a progress report on the Europe 2020 strategy (research side) and a policy debate on the Annual Growth Survey; a presentation by the Commission on "the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a more innovative Europe"; a policy debate on "the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 294/2008 establishing the European Institute of Innovation and Technology"; an orientation debate on "the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon 2020-The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)"; an orientation debate on "the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules for participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020-The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)"; an orientation debate on "the Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon 2020-The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)"; and an orientation debate on "the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018) complementing the Horizon 2020-The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation".
	The Research, Space and AOB Items will comprise of: information from the Commission regarding "Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a Bioeconomy for Europe"; information from the commission regarding "ERA Framework: Areas of untapped potential for the development of the European Research Area (ERA)-results of the public consultation"; information from the Commission regarding "ITER-State of Play"; and information from the Presidency regarding the results of the informal session of the Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen, 1-2 February 2012.
	The Government's objectives for the Council are;
	To contribute to discussions on Europe 2020 (industry and internal market), the public procurement package, the accounting directive, venture capital and social entrepreneurship funds;
	Confirm agreement with Council Conclusions on Smart Regulation;Exchange views on GMES; andContribute to discussions on the Europe 2020 (Research) and Horizon 2020 discussions.

EU: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

Lord Freud: My honourable friend the Minister of State for Employment (Chris Grayling)has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on 17 February 2012 in Brussels. My honourable friend Norman Lamb, Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, represented the United Kingdom.
	There were two discussions at this Council. The first was a debate on women on company boards. The Commission presented the economic case for greater diversity on company boards and stated that progress to date was poor. It outlined its intention to take stock and consider possible measures including the need for quotas. My honourable friend Norman Lamb intervened to stress that the UK did not favour quotas. Instead the UK preferred positive measures such as putting pressure on companies to set their own targets; requiring companies to disclose information on gender balance; and making changes to training and mentoring. He further highlighted that the significant recent increase in women on UK company boards proved that such measures work.
	The second debate was on the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in the field of employment and social policy. It centred on a set of Council conclusions on the joint employment report priorities for action. Member states acknowledged the challenging economic and social climate and emphasised the importance of tackling youth unemployment. My honourable friend Norman Lamb intervened to set out details of the UK youth contract, which would provide nearly half a million work places for young people. He also emphasised the importance of removing barriers to participation in the labour market through welfare reform, generating skills through apprenticeships and reducing burden on business through smart regulation.
	The Council also adopted conclusions on priorities for action in the areas of employment and social policies and the joint employment report. My honourable friend Norman Lamb abstained on behalf of the UK on parliamentary scrutiny grounds.
	Under any other business, the Commission stated that it had taken due note of the intention of nine member states including the UK to retain transitional arrangements for Bulgarian and Romanian workers. The presidency provided information on the preparation of the tripartite social summit. The Commission and presidency provided information on preparation for the G20 Meeting of Labour and Employment Ministers; and on the Euro-Mediterranean Employment and Labour High Level Working Group. Finally, the Employment Committee and Social Protection Committee chairs provided information on their work programmes for 2012.
	My Statement of 9 February 2012 ahead of the Employment and Social Affairs Council referred to a discussion about proposals related to posting of workers. That discussion was removed from the final Council agenda.

EU: Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (David Lidington) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Foreign Affairs Council will meet on 27 February and the General Affairs Council on 28 February. Both meetings will take place in Brussels. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary (William Hague) will attend the Foreign Affairs Council. I will attend the General Affairs Council.
	Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)
	Syria
	We hope to secure Council adoption of strong conclusions and a new package of sanctions to put pressure on the Assad regime, in light of the UNGA resolution of 16 February and the Friends of Syria Group meeting in Tunis on 24 February. We also hope that the FAC will agree to press for more EU action on the humanitarian front, and highlight the need for more support for the Opposition.
	Egypt
	The Council will reflect on the transition in Egypt, which is at a key point following parliamentary elections. Further progress on the elections is threatened by the continued deterioration in the economy, crackdown on civil society and recent violence. We hope the Council will adopt conclusions that maintain the pressure for progress and set out EU support for Egypt, once there has been a fair and free transition to civilian rule.
	Serbia/Kosovo
	We expect Ministers to discuss progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. This will be followed by a more in-depth discussion at the GAC the following day, where member states will consider whether to grant Serbia EU candidate status. The Government welcome progress made by Serbia and Kosovo in the dialogue so far, and urges both sides to maintain a constructive engagement in the process. The Government urge Serbia to continue to make every effort to meet the requirements set out by the European Council in December. The Government are also strong supporters of Kosovo's EU future.
	MEPP
	Over lunch, Ministers will be updated on contact between the Israelis and Palestinians, with an assessment of the current state of Palestinian reconciliation talks. This discussion is not expected to lead to formal conclusions-which are instead expected at the subsequent FAC in March.
	South Caucasus
	Ministers hope to discuss developments of the EU's engagement in the South Caucasus since the last FAC discussion in June 2010, when the Council agreed the following conclusions:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/115147.pdf
	We expect conclusions to be adopted covering the EU's relationship with the three countries of the South Caucasus, and covering efforts to achieve peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the region. We believe the conclusions should emphasise that forthcoming elections in the South Caucasus should meet internationally recognised democratic standards.
	Somalia
	My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to brief the Council on developments at the 23 February London Conference on Somalia. This may be followed by further, concrete EU action to be agreed at the March FAC.
	Brazil/Mexico
	Baroness Ashton may brief on her recent visits to Brazil and Mexico. Following this, there may be a short discussion on the current state of the EU's relationship with each of these emerging powers.
	General Affairs Council (GAC)
	March European Council
	Ministers will discuss preparation for the March European Council being held the following week (1-2 March); which will focus on economic policy; preparation for international summits (G8 in May, G20 in June and the Rio +20 in June) and Serbia.
	Economic Policy
	Ministers will discuss economic and employment policies with an emphasis on green growth and on structural reforms to increase competitiveness and create more jobs, in line with the statement from the January Informal European Council. That Council agreed to accelerate action on the digital single market and legislation that will strengthen further the Single Market; for instance in the services and energy sectors.
	The Statement of the January Informal European Council can be found at:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/127599.pdf
	In preparation for the March European Council, the Prime Minister jointly wrote a letter with 11 other EU member states to Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, to outline a plan for growth in Europe. I have placed copies of this letter in the Libraries of both Houses.
	There will also be a discussion on the reforms implemented under the European Semester and the Commission will announce its new recommendations for 2012. The UK specific recommendations for 2011 focused on addressing the fiscal deficit, housing benefit reform, encouraging financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and measures to tackle unemployment.
	The UK specific recommendations can be found at:
	http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st11/st11399-re01.en11.pdf
	International Summits
	Ministers will discuss the EU's approach to the upcoming G8, G20 and Rio +20 conferences. The May G8 Summit in Chicago will focus on political and global issues. The June G20 summit in Mexico will focus on economics and finance and is expected to include green growth. The June Rio +20 will cover green growth in the context of sustainable development and institutional reform.
	Serbia
	The March European Council is expected to endorse the decision on Serbia reached at the General Affairs Council (please see below)
	Serbia
	Ministers will be expected to make a decision, in light of the discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council, on whether to grant Serbia candidate status. The discussion was deferred to this GAC from the December European Council. The December European Council tasked the Council with examining and confirming whether Serbia has continued to show credible commitment and made further progress in the dialogue, among other issues.
	The December European Council Conclusions can be found at:
	http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/126714.pdf
	Bulgaria and Romania
	We expect Council conclusions in relation to Bulgaria and Romania's progress on the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), a safeguard measure to monitor progress for acceding states in the areas of freedom, security and justice. The Council is expected to welcome the interim reports on the progress in Bulgaria and Romania under the CVM and acknowledge the continued efforts by Bulgaria and Romania to meet the objectives set under the Mechanism. Further reports are expected in the summer of 2012 including the overall assessment of progress since accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU in 2007.
	Lunch with Herman van Rompuy
	Following the GAC, Herman van Rompuy will present, over lunch, the latest progress on the Intergovernmental Treaty. The Intergovernmental Treaty is expected to be signed in the margins of the March European Council on 2 March.

EU: Market Abuse

Lord Sassoon: My honourable friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mark Hoban) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Government have decided at this time not to opt in to the European Commission's proposal for a criminal sanctions directive on insider dealing and market manipulation, although hope to be in a position to do so in the future.
	The aim of the Commission's proposal is to establish criminal sanctions for offences of market abuse. The proposal seeks to complement the broader EU framework for tackling market abuse, which will be provided for in the larger draft market abuse regulation. The proposed criminal sanctions directive establishes that where market abuse has been committed intentionally, member states must make provision for criminal sanctions to be able to be applied.
	The UK already covers all of the offences in its criminal law and also goes further by capturing, for example, acts of market abuse that are committed recklessly, as well as those committed intentionally. The Commission's draft proposal is sufficiently flexible for member states to go further than the minimum standards specified, which is helpful to UK interests and the comprehensiveness of our existing domestic regime.
	The Government's decision not to opt in at this point in time is a reflection of the sequencing of the Commission's proposal, rather than particular concerns as to the substance. The proposed directive is entirely dependent on the outcome of the market abuse regulation (which is currently in very early stages of negotiation), and the markets in financial instruments directive (also in early stages of negotiation) which will determine the new regulatory landscape for financial services. The Government believe that it is difficult to assess the implications, scope and way this proposal may develop considering the broader uncertainty of the market abuse framework being itself simultaneously subject to a major review.
	Although the Government have decided that the UK should not opt in to the proposal now, they intend to participate fully in the negotiations in the hope that it will be able to opt in later, once these proposals are better progressed, not least as the UK already covers all these offences today in its criminal law.

Government Cars

Earl Attlee: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mike Penning) has made the following Ministerial Statement.
	On 16 January 2012, I announced the significant operating cost reductions we have made in running the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) since May 2010. The previous Government had ministerial cars for most Ministers, costing £6.8 million in 2009-10. We are now spending just £3.8 million or 55 percent of that, and the number of Ministers requiring cars has reduced by around half.
	Today, I am announcing our plans for the coming year in which we expect to deliver further operating cost savings of around one-third. This is part of our ongoing commitment to driving efficiency and improving value for money and transparency for taxpayers. It will also allow us to start to reduce the overhead costs associated with the service.
	To reflect the Government's approach to providing vehicles for Ministers' official travel while maintaining adequate levels of security, I am taking this opportunity to identify a better taxpayer value service, reduce the vehicle fleet and maximise driver and vehicle utilisation. This approach will enable us to reshape the agency and its estate to deliver a leaner and substantially smaller organisation.
	We are working closely with departments to deliver the main elements of this efficiency and reform programme which are:
	the phased closure of the government mail despatch service by the end of the year. I expect current users to make alternative, cost-effective arrangements with their existing service providers or to utilise existing government frameworks to secure new services from the private sector;
	a 50 per cent reduction in the GCDA fleet with a new approach that gives greater control over management of the resource to departments;a review of estate options; anda review of the GCDA's agency status and whether, in the light of the much smaller scale of the operation, that continues to offer the best value for money.
	The GCDA is working with departments to help manage the transition to new arrangements. Subject to those discussions, I expect the changes to the car service to be fully operational by April this year and the transition to new mail arrangements to be completed by the end of the year.

Health: Public Expenditure

Earl Howe: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I have today laid before Parliament the Government's response to the House of Commons Health Committee's report Public Expenditure: Thirteenth Report of Session 2010-12 (Cm 8283). The committee's report was published on 24 January 2012.
	The modernisation and efficiency challenges we are seeking across health and social care are exceptional; ones that are vitally necessary to secure sustainable and improving services. They are also inextricably linked and mutually supportive. These changes are critical to bringing about a modern care system that is fit to deliver the high quality, responsive, personalised services wanted by people today. As a part of these reforms, we are protecting funding for the NHS and allocating additional funding for social care.

Higher Education: Student Loans

Baroness Verma: My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Universities and Science (David Willetts) has today made the following Statement.
	I am today confirming that there is to be no system of charges introduced for early repayment of student loans. Last year, we consulted as to whether there should be a charge for early repayment, and if so, what form such a charge would take. This consultation, which closed on 20 September 2011, prompted 154 responses from the general public and key stakeholders including a diverse range of HE providers and representative bodies, consumer groups, employers and professional bodies.
	Analysis of the consultation responses showed that a substantial majority of respondents were opposed to there being any restrictions on a borrower's ability to make early repayments. A smaller number of respondents were sympathetic to the principle of protecting the progressive nature of the student support system, but most of these felt that restrictions on early repayments were generally an ineffective way of delivering progressivity.
	Having carefully considered all the evidence and responses submitted, we agree that individuals should be allowed to repay without penalty if they so wish. We have therefore decided that we will not make any changes to the status quo and will not implement any early repayment system. The proposed new student finance package is fair, sustainable and progressive and will remain so.
	A list of respondents and summary of responses can be viewed online at
	http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/early-repayment/.

National Citizen Service

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: My honourable friend the Minister for Civil Society (Nick Hurd) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	As previously published, the Government will deliver 30,000 national citizen service (NCS) places in 2012.
	I am very pleased to be able to provide information about the location of national citizen service places available during summer 2012. Further places will be available in the autumn.
	The places are listed by local authority, with the names of the organisations providing the places. NCS places are available in 95 per cent of English local authorities.
	These figures may be subject to amendment as preparation for delivery and recruitment progresses.
	This information is included in the table below.
	
		
			 Region Local Authority Name Total places in Local Authority Providers in Local Authority 
			 North East Darlington 260 Safe in Tees Valley 
			 North East Hartlepool 260 Safe in Tees Valley 
			 North East Redcar and Cleveland 260 Safe in Tees Valley 
			 North East Middlesbrough 260 Safe in Tees Valley 
			 North East Stockton on Tees 260 Safe in Tees Valley 
			 North East Newcastle upon Tyne 243 Catch22; Future Foundations Training Ltd; Vinspired 
			 North East North Tyneside 135 Catch22; Vinspired 
			 North East Sunderland 195 Catch22; Vinspired 
			 North East South Tyneside 90 Vinspired 
			 North East Gateshead 75 Catch22 
			 North East Durham 180 Vinspired; Academy of Youth 
			 North East Northumberland 75 Catch22 
			 North West Blackpool 80 Fylde Coast YMCA 
			 North West Bolton 450 Bolton Lads & Girls Club 
			 North West Cumbria 576 Connexions Cumbria Ltd 
			 North West Liverpool 386 Catch22; Sefton CVS 
			 North West St Helens 184 Transitions Plus UK; Fylde Coast YMCA 
			 North West Salford 205 Salford Foundation; The Challenge Network 
			 North West Sefton 237 Catch22; Sefton CVS 
			 North West Warrington 154 Vinspired; Transitions Plus UK; National Youth Agency 
			 North West Manchester 270 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Blackburn with Darwen 125 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Rochdale 150 Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 North West Wigan 205 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Bury 125 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Wirral 210 Catch22; Vinspired; Transitions Plus UK 
			 North West Trafford 120 Salford Foundation 
			 North West Halton 75 Catch22; Vinspired 
			 North West Tameside 140 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Lancashire 610 Catch22; The Challenge Network; Fylde Coast YMCA 
			 North West Knowsley 75 Catch22 
			 North West Stockport 130 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Oldham 75 The Challenge Network 
			 North West Cheshire West & Chester 90 Vinspired 
			 North West Cheshire East 90 Vinspired 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Barnsley 126 Envision; Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Sheffield 246 Catch22; Future Foundations Training Ltd; Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber York, City of 72 Your Consortium Ltd 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Kirklees 186 Academy of Youth; Envision 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Leeds 268 Envision; Future Foundations Training Ltd; Vinspired 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Bradford 198 Envision; Vinspired 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Rotherham 90 Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Calderdale 66 Catch22; Envision 
			 Yorkshire and Humber North Yorkshire 192 Envision; Your Consortium Ltd 
			 Yorkshire and Humber East Riding of Yorkshire 90 Catch22; Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Doncaster 60 Catch22 
			 Yorkshire and Humber North Lincolnshire 30 Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber North East Lincolnshire 30 Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Kingston upon Hull 30 Football League Trust 
			 Yorkshire and Humber Wakefield 36 Envision 
			 E Midlands Rutland 60 Lincolnshire & Rutland EBP 
			 E Midlands Leicestershire 504 Transitions Plus UK 
			 E Midlands Nottingham, City of 176 Future Foundations Training Ltd; New College Nottingham 
			 E Midlands Lincolnshire 456 Lincolnshire & Rutland EBP; Football League Trust 
			 E Midlands Derby, City of 141 Catch22; New College Nottingham 
			 E Midlands Derbyshire 249 Catch22; New College Nottingham 
			 E Midlands Nottinghamshire 234 Catch22; New College Nottingham 
			 E Midlands Leicester City 96 Future Foundations Training Ltd 
			 E Midlands Northamptonshire 150 Academy of Youth 
			 W Midlands Solihull 215 The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Coventry 253 Future Foundations Training Ltd; The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Birmingham 799 Future Foundations Training Ltd; The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Warwickshire 405 Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Sandwell 210 Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Herefordshire 120 Engage4Life 
			 W Midlands Wolverhampton 145 Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Walsall 165 The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Telford and Wrekin 90 Engage4Life 
			 W Midlands Dudley 155 The Challenge Network 
			 W Midlands Shropshire 120 Vinspired Engage4Life 
			 W Midlands Staffordshire 210 Vinspired 
			 W Midlands Worcestershire 120 Engage4Life 
			 W Midlands Stoke on Trent 45 Groundwork UK 
			 East Luton 180 Luton Culture 
			 East Peterborough, City of 64 Young Lives 
			 East Southend on Sea 45 Catch22 
			 East Cambridgeshire 128 Young Lives 
			 East Thurrock 30 Catch22 
			 East Essex 255 Catch22 
			 East Hertfordshire 180 Vinspired; Football League Trust 
			 East Norfolk 120 Football League Trust 
			 East Suffolk 90 Catch22 
			 London Islington 405 Changemakers; Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 London Wandsworth 305 The Challenge Network 
			 London Merton 305 The Challenge Network 
			 London Hounslow 345 The Challenge Network 
			 London Ealing 425 The Challenge Network 
			 London Southwark 315 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan 
			 London Richmond upon Thames 265 The Challenge Network 
			 London Sutton 315 The Challenge Network 
			 London Kingston upon Thames 215 The Challenge Network 
			 London Westminster, City of 150 The Challenge Network 
			 London Hammersmith and Fulham 120 The Challenge Network 
			 London Lewisham 230 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan 
			 London Tower Hamlets 190 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan; Football League Trust 
			 London Redbridge 295 The Challenge Network; Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade; Football League Trust 
			 London Newham 210 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan; Football League Trust 
			 London Lambeth 160 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan 
			 London Waltham Forest 170 The Challenge Network; Football League Trust 
			 London Greenwich 170 The Challenge Network; Global Action Plan; Football League Trust 
			 London Barking and Dagenham 155 The Challenge Network; Catch22 
			 London Hackney 155 The Challenge Network; Football League Trust; Catch22 
			 London Brent 165 The Challenge Network 
			 London Harrow 175 The Challenge Network; Vinspired 
			 London Croydon 265 The Challenge Network 
			 London Camden 125 The Challenge Network; Catch22 
			 London Bexley 170 The Challenge Network; Football League Trust 
			 London Bromley 210 The Challenge Network 
			 London Hillingdon 170 The Challenge Network 
			 London Haringey 115 The Challenge Network 
			 London Barnet 210 The Challenge Network 
			 London Havering 155 The Challenge Network 
			 London Kensington and Chelsea 75 The Challenge Network 
			 London Enfield 170 The Challenge Network 
			 South East Southampton 141 Catch22; Future Foundations Training Ltd 
			 South East Portsmouth 150 Catch22; Partnership Network Ltd 
			 South East Kent 1,066 Catch22; Football League Trust; National Youth Agency 
			 South East Slough 60 Groundwork UK 
			 South East Reading 60 Groundwork UK 
			 South East Hampshire 660 Catch22; Partnership Network Ltd 
			 South East Isle of Wight 60 Partnership Network Ltd 
			 South East Windsor and Maidenhead 60 Groundwork UK 
			 South East Surrey 325 Catch22; The Challenge Network 
			 South East South Buckinghamshire 150 Catch22; Groundwork UK 
			 South East Oxfordshire 165 Transitions Plus UK; Oxfordshire County Council 
			 South East Milton Keynes 60 Football League Trust 
			 South East Brighton and Hove 45 Catch22; Football League Trust 
			 South East East Sussex 30 Catch22 
			 South East West Sussex 15 Football League Trust 
			 South West Plymouth, City of 270 Young Devon; Football League Trust 
			 South West Bath and North East Somerset 123 Future Foundations Training Ltd; Engage4Life 
			 South West Devon 540 Petroc; Young Devon 
			 South West Torbay 75 Young Devon 
			 South West Bristol, City of 165 Young Devon 
			 South West North Somerset 90 Petroc 
			 South West Somerset 240 Petroc; Young Devon 
			 South West Cornwall 210 Young Devon 
			 South West Gloucestershire 180 Petroc; Young Devon 
			 South West Poole 30 Petroc; Football League Trust 
			 South West Bournemouth 30 Petroc; Football League Trust 
			 South West Wiltshire 75 Catch22; Petroc 
			 South West South Gloucestershire 90 Petroc 
			 South West Dorset 150 Young Devon; Petroc 
			 South West Swindon 90 Petroc

NHS: Charges

Earl Howe: My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	Regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly to increase certain National Health Service charges in England from 1 April 2012.
	There will be an increase in the prescription charge of 25p from £7.40 to £7.65 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.
	The cost of a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) will remain at £29.10 for a three-month certificate. The cost of the annual certificate will remain at £104. PPCs offer savings for those needing four or more items in three months or 14 or more items in one year.
	Regulations will also be laid to increase NHS dental charges from 1 April 2012. The dental charge payable for a band 1 course of treatment will increase by 50p from £17 to £17.50. The dental charge for a band 2 course of treatment will increase by £1 from £47 to £48. The charge for a band 3 course of treatment will increase by £5 from £204 to £209. Dental charges represent an important contribution to the overall cost of dental services. The exact amount raised will be dependent on the level and type of primary dental care services commissioned by primary care trusts and the proportion of charge-paying patients who attend dentists and the level of treatment they require.
	Charges for elastic stockings and tights, wigs and fabric supports supplied by hospitals will also be increased.
	The range of NHS optical vouchers available to children, people on low incomes and individuals with complex sight problems are also being increased in value. In order to continue to provide help with the cost of spectacles and contact lenses, optical voucher values will rise by an overall 2.5 per cent.
	Details of the revised charges are in the following tables.
	
		
			 NHS Charges: England 
			  New Charge (£) 
			 Prescription charges 
			 Single item 7.65 
			 3-month PPC 29.10 
			 12-month PPC 104.00 
			 Dental Charges 
			 Band 1 course of treatment 17.50 
			 Band 2 course of treatment 48.00 
			 Band 3 course of treatment 209.00 
			 Wigs and Fabrics 
			 Surgical brassiere 25.70 
			 Abdominal or spinal support 38.80 
			 Stock modacrylic wig 63.35 
			 Partial human hair wig 167.85 
			 Full bespoke human hair wig 245.40 
		
	
	
		
			 Optical voucher values from 1 April 2012  
			 Type of optical appliance  
			 AGlasses with single-vision lenses: spherical power of = 6 dioptres, cylindrical power of= 2 dioptres. £37.10 
			 BGlasses with single-vision lenses: spherical power of > 6 dioptres but < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of = 6 dioptres; spherical power of < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of > 2 dioptres but = 6 dioptres. £56.40 
			 CGlasses with single-vision lenses: spherical power of = 10 dioptres but = 14 dioptres, cylindrical power of = 6 dioptres. £82.60 
			 D Glasses with single-vision lenses: spherical power of >14 dioptres with any cylindrical power; cylindrical power of > 6 dioptres with any spherical power. £186.50 
			 E Glasses with bifocal lenses: spherical power of = 6 dioptres, cylindrical power of = 2 dioptres. £64.20 
			 F Glasses with bifocal lenses: spherical power of > 6 dioptres but < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of = 6 dioptres; spherical power of < 10 dioptres, cylindrical power of > 2 dioptres but = 6 dioptres. £81.60 
			 GGlasses with bifocal lenses: spherical power of = 10 dioptres but = 14 dioptres, cylindrical power of = 6 dioptres. £105.80 
			 H Glasses with prism-controlled bifocal lenses of any power or with bifocal lenses: spherical power of > 14 dioptres with any cylindrical power; cylindrical power of > 6 dioptres with any spherical power. £205.10 
			 I (HES) Glasses not falling within any of paragraphs 1 to 8 for which a prescription is given in consequence of a testing of sight by an NHS Trust. £191.00

Northern Ireland: Security

Lord Shutt of Greetland: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Owen Paterson) has made the following Ministerial Statement.
	In July 2011, when I laid the final report of the IMC before the House, I made a commitment to provide twice-yearly updates summarising the threat. This Statement is the first such update and represents our assessment of the current position.
	During the past six months all the dissident republican groups have remained active in Northern Ireland, and the threat level in Northern Ireland remains at "severe", meaning that an attack is highly likely.
	The threat level in Great Britain is "substantial", meaning that an attack is a strong possibility.
	There have been 13 attacks against national security targets in Northern Ireland since 1 August 2011. These have included attacks on police officers as well as small bombs deployed against a bank in Newry and the City of Culture offices in Londonderry. The most recent attacks have included the attempted murder of a soldier on 5 January 2012, a pipe bomb recovered at the scene of a fire in West Belfast on 17 January 2012 and two pipe bombs set off in Londonderry on 19 January 2012.
	Many other potential attacks have been prevented by the actions of security and law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border.
	While there were fewer attacks in 2011 than in 2010, the intent and capability of dissident republican terrorists remains high. At present, the threat appears to have stabilised as a result of the activities of security and law enforcement agencies. However, there remains a high level of underlying terrorist activity and planning.
	The most active groups at present are:
	the Real IRA (RIRA);the Continuity IRA (CIRA); andÓglaigh na hÉireann (ONH).
	In addition there are a number of unaffiliated terrorists who are also active. All of these groups are dangerous and pose a real threat-primarily to police officers but also, through their actions, to the wider public.
	The UDA and UVF leaderships remain committed to their ceasefires, although there has been unsanctioned violent activity by members of both groups.
	Both loyalist and republican groups continue to be involved in a wide range of acts of criminality. Both also continue to carry out paramilitary-style assaults and shootings.
	I am grateful to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the Security Service for their tireless efforts to address the real and severe threat posed by terrorists in Northern Ireland.
	I am confident that the national security arrangements are operating in line with the principles set out in Annexe E to the St Andrews agreement. As I informed the House on 19 December (col. 145WS), Lord Carlile's recent report on the operation of arrangements for handling national security matters in Northern Ireland expressed satisfaction that there are no difficulties of any significance in the interoperability between the PSNI and the Security Service. He concluded that their sound working partnership should be commended. Lord Carlile said that he believed that, compared with 2010, 2011 saw more success in containing and stabilising the threat and noted that there were fewer incidents and fewer major attacks.
	As this House is well aware, tackling terrorism in all its forms and within the rule of law remains the highest priority for this Government. We will continue to work as closely as possible with our strategic partners in the PSNI, Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government to counter this threat.

Pensions: Automatic Enrolment

Lord Freud: My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	Later today the Government will publish the consultation document Automatic Enrolment and European Employers. This addresses an issue which could potentially place an unnecessary burden on employers to find a pension scheme into which they can automatically enrol dual-status workers-those who are simultaneously jobholders and qualifying persons.
	A jobholder is a worker who is working or ordinarily works in Great Britain under the worker's contract. A qualifying person is an individual whose place of work under contract is sufficiently located in an EEA state other than the UK so that the relationship with the employer is subject to the social and labour law relevant to the field of occupational pension schemes of the other EEA state.
	The consultation proposes an exemption for employers from having to automatically enrol dual-status workers. The period of formal consultation will begin today and last for six weeks, ending on 2 April.
	I would like to thank all those people and organisations who have offered their views and advice in response to our recent informal consultation, and hope that they will continue to do so now that consultation has moved on to a formal footing.
	Draft regulations and an impact assessment will be published alongside the consultation document.
	A copy of the consultation will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be available later today on the department's website at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/workplace-pension-reforms
	www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/

Pharmaceutical Prices

Earl Howe: My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme-Eleventh Report to Parliament has been published today.
	The department published the first report on the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) in 1996 following a comment by the Health Committee that the "Department of Health should introduce greater transparency into the PPRS". Since then, the department has published a report to Parliament on the operation and management of the scheme most years, the last report being December 2009. This latest report covers an update on the operation of the 2009 scheme, and other developments on PPRS since the last report. In addition, an update has been provided on innovation provisions under the 2009 scheme, government support for the life science industry and an update on international price comparisons.
	A copy has been placed in the Library. Copies are available for honourable Members from the Vote Office and for noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office.

Prisons: Deaths in Custody

Lord McNally: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Crispin Blunt) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The creation of the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody was announced in 2008 and it has been in operation since March 2009. Its creation was in response to an independent review of previous structures-the Forum for Preventing Deaths in Custody and the Ministerial Roundtable on Suicide. Significant reforms were made to these structures and the council has been working effectively for three years. I am pleased to announce that, following an evaluation of the effectiveness of the arrangements, the council will be funded to continue for a further three-year term. Lord Harris of Haringey has been reappointed as chair of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody.
	The council comprises three tiers, the first of which is a ministerial board, chaired jointly by the Ministry of Justice and ministerial colleagues from the Department of Health and Home Office. The board brings together senior leaders across the custodial sectors as well as regulatory and third sector stakeholders to take forward an agenda aimed at making custodial settings safer and contributing to a reduction in deaths.
	The second tier is the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody. This is an advisory non-departmental public body. It is chaired by Lord Harris of Haringey and consists of six independent expert panel members. The panel is the principal source of advice to Ministers and the board on measures to reduce deaths in custody.
	The third tier is a broad-based stakeholder and practitioner group. There are over 100 members of this group, representing the interests of families, third sector organisations, practitioners from all sectors and the inspectorate and investigatory bodies.

Somalia

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	On 23 February the UK hosted the London Conference on Somalia. When he announced this initiative in November, our right honourable friend the Prime Minister spoke of the real and pressing need to pull together the international effort on Somalia. The conference brought together 55 delegations representing over 40 countries, the United Nations, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and other international organisations to discuss how the international community could reinvigorate its approach towards Somalia. Somali leaders, including President Sheikh Sharif, Prime Minister Abdiweli, President Farole of Puntland and President Silanyo of Somaliland also took part.
	The conference took place at a key moment in Somalia's history. Somalia is emerging from the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. African and Somali troops have pushed Al Shabaab out of Mogadishu and other areas. The transitional institutions come to an end in August 2012, and the people of Somalia want clarity on what will follow. The situation remains precarious and in urgent need of support from the international community.
	Decisions on Somalia's future rest with the Somali people. The Somali political leadership must be accountable to the people. The international community's role is to facilitate Somalia's progress and development: our strength is in unity and co-ordinated support to Somalia. The conference noted the importance of listening to and working with Somalis inside and outside Somalia, and welcomed their engagement in the run-up to this conference.
	The conference focused on the underlying causes of instability, as well as the symptoms (famine, piracy, and terrorism). The international community agreed: to inject new momentum into the political process; to strengthen AMISOM and help Somalia develop its own security forces; to help build stability at local level; and to step up action to tackle pirates and terrorists.
	More specifically, the conference agreed practical measures in seven areas:
	Political process-agreement that the transition must end in August 2012, and that the political process must be broad-based and inclusive, building on agreement at the Garowe consultative meetings; the establishment of a Joint Financial Management Board to increase the transparency and accountability of transitional federal government, and future government, spending.
	Security and justice-agreement to create a framework for international support to develop Somali security and justice capacity.
	Piracy-agreement on the need to address the causes of piracy on land, and to build judicial and imprisonment capacity in the region; welcome for the establishment of a Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Co-ordination Centre in the Seychelles. Ministers also signed bilateral memoranda of understanding with Tanzania on transferring suspected pirates for prosecution, with the Netherlands and Seychelles on the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions Intelligence Coordination Centre, and a regional burden-sharing statement of principles. Our right honourable friend the Prime Minister also announced the creation of an international task force on piracy ransoms and welcomed the announcement from the shipping industry of funding for UNDP coastal community projects in Puntland.
	Terrorism-agreement to build capacity to disrupt terrorism in the region, including disrupting terrorists' travel to and from Somalia and terrorist finances.
	Humanitarian-the conference was preceded by a separate meeting on the humanitarian situation, chaired jointly by the International Development Secretary, Baroness Amos (United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and the United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister. Prominent themes included the continuing fragility of the humanitarian situation in Somalia and the need to create the conditions for voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced people.
	Stability and recovery-launch of a new stability fund to channel development support, such as for basic services, jobs, security and justice, to emerging areas of stability across Somalia. Founder members are the UK, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Arab Emirates and Denmark. Agreement to a set of principles for local support.
	International co-ordination-welcome for the International Contact Group on Somalia's decision to consider restructuring to improve its effectiveness, and a recommendation to establish working groups on the political process, security and justice, and stability and development. The creation of a core group of engaged countries to drive progress in support of United Nations, African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development efforts.
	We have placed copies of the communiqué agreed by international partners at the conference and the conclusions of the separate humanitarian meeting in the Libraries of both Houses.

Taxation

Lord Sassoon: My honourable friend the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (David Gauke) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The Government are fully committed to tackling tax avoidance and will take necessary steps to protect the Exchequer and maintain fairness in the tax system. The Government are therefore acting today to tackle two aggressive tax avoidance schemes that have been disclosed by a bank to HM Revenue and Customs. By acting immediately, the Government will ensure the payment of over half a billion pounds in tax, protect further billions of tax from being lost and maintain fairness in the tax system.
	Debt buybacks
	The first scheme seeks to exploit corporation tax rules that apply to releases of debt. Normally a debtor company is taxed on the profit that arises when a liability is released for less than the amount borrowed, but special rules apply to connected companies. In such cases, a tax charge arises where a company connected to the debtor company buys the debt from the original creditor, or where debt is held between companies that become connected. These rules were amended in the Finance Act 2010 to block schemes under which banks bought back their issued debt that was trading at a discount in the market. When closing these previous attempts by companies to profit from buying back their own debt without being taxed, the Government at the time made clear in two Written Ministerial Statements that they expected such profits to be subject to corporation tax.
	Despite these clear statements, the bank has now entered into a scheme using contrived arrangements that once again seeks to ensure that the profit on a buyback of such debt is not subject to corporation tax and therefore that a substantial amount of tax, of around £300 million, is avoided.
	The Government will amend these rules in Finance Bill 2012, effective from today, so that the legislation in question cannot be circumvented in future. They will also make retrospective amendments to the legislation in relation to debt acquisitions on or after 1 December 2011 to ensure the bank, and any other company that has engaged in a similar scheme in the same period, is taxed as it should be on this transaction. This is not action that the Government are taking lightly. But the potential tax loss from this scheme and the history of previous abuse in this area mean that the Government believe that this is a circumstance where action to change the legislation with full retrospective effect is justified to ensure that the system is fair for all and that those who seek to benefit from this aggressive avoidance do not get an unfair advantage.
	The bank has adopted the code of practice which contains a commitment not to engage in tax avoidance. The Government are clear that this not a transaction that a bank that has adopted the code should be undertaking.
	The protocol on unscheduled announcements of changes in tax law published by the Government at Budget 2011 states that "changes to tax legislation where the change takes effect from a date earlier than the date of announcement will be wholly exceptional". The Government view the avoidance outlined here and the circumstances as being a "wholly exceptional" case as envisaged by the protocol.
	The draft legislation, Explanatory Note and Technical Note published today will form part of Finance Bill 2012 and will be available on the HMRC website.
	Authorised Investment Funds
	The second avoidance scheme seeks to exploit provisions of the authorised investment fund (AIF) regulations to generate the repayment of tax (whether directly or through set off against other liabilities) that has never been paid.
	Legislation to block this scheme, which is effective from today's date, has been made by regulations and will be available at legislation.gov.uk.
	The Government have acted on a number of occasions in the past to block avoidance schemes exploiting both these areas of the law. The previous action and this Government's action in the present case makes it clear that the Government consider that certain contrived arrangements-these are arrangements involving financial products designed to create tax credits that can be repaid or offset against a bank's other income where the tax in question has not been paid, or to avoid being taxed on profits on buyback of the bank's own debt-are wholly unacceptable and against the intentions of Parliament and the spirit of the law.
	Ministers will consider closing any future avoidance schemes involving such arrangements with full retrospective effect to ensure that the system is fair for all and that those that seek to benefit from this aggressive tax avoidance do not get an unfair advantage.

UK-France Summit

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	I would like to update the House on the UK-France summit on 17 February in Paris.
	Last Friday's summit followed that of November 2010 which resulted in the signature of two historic defence treaties at Lancaster House.
	The Summit
	The summit was hosted by President Sarkozy at the Elysée Palace. President Sarkozy was accompanied by Prime Minister Fillon and his Foreign, Defence and Energy Ministers.
	The British delegation was headed by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister, accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and me.
	France and the UK are co-operating more closely on foreign and security policy issues than at any time since the Second World War. Discussions covered foreign policy, defence, security and energy issues, highlighting our shared challenges and priorities. Within this context, we discussed the importance of stabilising the eurozone and restoring growth to the European economy. There were also frank exchanges in areas where we disagree, including the proposal for a financial transaction tax.
	At the conclusion of the talks, the President and Prime Minister issued joint declarations covering defence and security, energy and Syria. These can be found at: www.number10.gov.uk
	Energy
	A centrepiece of the summit was our landmark agreement to strengthen co-operation between France and the UK on civil nuclear energy. The joint declaration signalled our shared commitment to the future of civil nuclear power, setting out a joint long term vision of safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy, that supports growth and helps to deliver our emission reductions targets. The declaration reiterated our commitment to the role of nuclear energy as part of a diversified energy mix, agreeing to work together with the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen international capability to react to nuclear emergencies and establish a joint framework for co-operation and exchanging good practice on civil nuclear security. British and French public and private sector bodies in the civil nuclear power industry will also work more closely on education and training, research and development, and security. This strengthened co-operation will be supported by a new Franco-British high level group on nuclear energy, bringing together industry, government, and other key stakeholders.
	This partnership agreement was underpinned by a number of commercial deals in the field of nuclear energy, worth more than £500 million and creating more than 1,500 jobs across the country. These agreements represent a significant strengthening of the relationship between France and the UK in the field of civil nuclear development and signal the emergence of a competitive supply chain capable of servicing global opportunities. They also constitute the first concrete orders which make the UK new nuclear programme a reality, thus meeting critical objectives for securing our energy supplies and meeting our carbon reduction targets.
	Defence and Security
	The summit reinforced both sides' commitment to the increased co-operation initiated in the 2010 Lancaster House treaties. We are similar-sized powers, with similar-sized armed forces and similar ambitions. The strength of our relationship and our determination to improve it were demonstrated throughout our leadership of the campaign to protect citizens in Libya. As part of our work to establish a new joint rapidly deployable force, we will design and develop a deployable headquarters comprising permanent and experienced staff drawn from existing French and UK high readiness command structures; this will be enhanced by an increase in the number of exchange officers on both sides. Beyond this, we agreed to work together to move to the next stage of developing a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles. We also discussed a wide range of actual and potential co-operation on equipment procurement and support to enable both improved capability and interoperability while delivering efficiency savings.
	We also confirmed our joint approach to a range of current foreign policy challenges, including the threat of Iran's nuclear programme, Somalia ahead of the London conference, Afghanistan and Burma.
	Syria
	Our discussions on Syria focused on the continued and appalling violence and concluded with a declaration that set out the joint measures that our two countries will take in support of the Syrian people and their aspirations for a better future. These included calling on the UN and other humanitarian agencies to carry out an urgent assessment of humanitarian needs, an increase in humanitarian aid, support for increased pressure on Assad, including an asset freeze on the Central Bank of Syria, and support for a subsequent transition process in Syria.
	Conclusions
	As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has stated, the summit showed the strength and depth of the UK's ties with France. One year on from the Libya uprising, we are working together to stand up to the murderous Syrian regime and to stop a nuclear weapon in the hands of Iran. At the United Nations, we co-sponsor more than three-quarters of Security Council resolutions. Our commercial relationship is deep and growing with exports increasing and French investment sustaining almost 10,000 jobs in the UK. Our armed forces are working together at the cutting edge of military technology. The UK and France are committed to working together, for the security and the prosperity of both our nations.

Zimbabwe

Lord Howell of Guildford: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The EU has announced its decision to roll over the Zimbabwe restrictive and appropriate measures. Following an in-depth assessment of the current situation on the ground, the UK and its EU partners have unanimously agreed to the renewal of the measures for a further 12 months, while removing 51 people and 20 companies from the list of those subject to an EU visa ban and asset freeze on the grounds that they are no longer involved in or associated with human rights abuses or undermining democracy or the rule of law. These amendments reflect the positive progress made by the inclusive government and SADC facilitation process in the implementation of the global political agreement and preparing for credible and peaceful elections in Zimbabwe.
	While our assessment is that there have been demonstrable improvements in the overall situation in Zimbabwe, there remains a pressing need for further progress. The implementation of political reforms remain slow. Politically-motivated looting, violence and intimidation continue, albeit on a lesser scale than in previous years. Further political and democratic reform is essential to promote the rule of law, human rights and democracy, as agreed under the global political agreement. For these reasons, we have extended the travel restrictions and asset freeze applicable to the remaining 112 people and 11 companies for a further 12 months. The listing of the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) will be reviewed in six months. The arms embargo remains in place.
	The restrictions on appropriate measures covering EU development assistance have also been renewed for six months. During this period, the EU will engage Zimbabwe in preparations for a country strategy paper in the framework of the European Development Fund. The EU will also invite the Government of Zimbabwe to intensify political dialogue, including through the Zimbabwe Ministerial Re-engagement Team, and to define further steps towards a normalisation of EU-Zimbabwe relations. The appropriate measures will be reviewed again at the end of the six months on the basis of progress on the ground in Zimbabwe, including core Cotonou principles of human rights and rule of law. EU and UK bilateral development aid will continue to be channelled directly to the people of Zimbabwe through the UN and non state actors, rather than through the Government of Zimbabwe.
	The UK and our EU partners emphasise our willingness to revisit the measures at any time should there be further concrete developments on the ground in Zimbabwe. In this context, we fully support the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and its member states in their effort to facilitate agreement among the parties in Zimbabwe on creating an environment conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. To facilitate unfettered dialogue between the EU and Zimbabwe the EU has agreed to suspend the travel bans on the two ZANU-PF members of the Zimbabwean Ministerial Re-engagement Team.
	Britain remains a committed friend to the people of Zimbabwe. UK aid to Zimbabwe this financial year (2011-12) will reach £80 million-our largest ever programme. Over the next four years UK aid will provide almost one million more people with clean water, give more than 700,000 women access to family planning, create 125,000 new jobs and help 80,000 children complete primary education. UK aid to Zimbabwe is channelled through UN agencies and NGOs, not the Government of Zimbabwe, and its delivery is independently monitored.